Mapag Angin ritual at Tanah Lot Temple

Ahead of Sasih Kesanga (March) approaching the Nyepi Day, residents of Beraban village held the mapag angin or picking up the wind ceremony. It is filled with pecaruan or exorcism rite in conjunction with the new moon in the eighth month based on Balinese calendar. This sacred ritual is meant to harmonize the relationship of fellow humans and their environment.

It aimed to maintain a good relationship between humans and the environment. “Man with his nature should not be contradictory to each other in order to create a favorable relationship for the survival of this life,” said Operations Manager of Tanah Lot tourist attraction, Ketut Toya Adnyana, doubling as Chief of Supporting Devotees of the Tanah Lot Temple.

The ceremony lasted for a whole day. At first, it was begun with pecaruan or animal sacrifice and then followed by a procession to deliver Prani oblation by all residents. At the end of the ceremony, it was conducted a special animal sacrifice by supporting devotees of the Tanah Lot Temple in connection with the sinking of Chinese tourist on the Tanah Lot Beach some time ago.

Pecaruan ceremony itself posed a purification of Bhuta Kala and all the spiritual impurities coupled with the hope that all the bad things or past events would no longer happen in the future. Such animal sacrifice was officiated over by Ida Pedanda from Puri Taman Sari Tabanan. (BTN/015)